President Muhammadu Buhari and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Atiku Abubakar are absent at the presidential debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria.
Less than two hours to the commencement of the debate, the President’s Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmed, had tweeted that Buhari was in Jos, Plateau State, where he was campaigning for his re-election.
Before then, Mr. President had commissioned the Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State, after which he also attended the APC Presidential Campaign Rally at Minna Trade Fair Complex. He left for Jos afterwards.
Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday featured in a town hall meeting on Wednesday.
One of the spokespersons of Atiku campaign organization, Mr Kazeem Afegbua had said Atiku will not attend the debate if President Buhari does not show up.
Concerning the Saturday debate scheduled for 7pm West African Time, the Executive Secretary of NEDG, Edidi Emesiri, had, in a statement, listed candidates shortlisted for the debate alongside Buhari to include those of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, Oby Ezekwesili; Alliance for New Nigeria, Fela Durotoye; Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; and Young Progressives Party, Kingsley Moghalu.
The running mates of all the candidates had taken their turn on December 14, 2018.
The Coalition for United Political Parties had, on Thursday, claimed that the President was planning to evade the debate.
The debate holds at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja; and it will be transmitted live on all BON member stations and its affiliates, as well as live streaming on all social media platforms.
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